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SDSU Psych Professor Says we are on the brink of a major mental health crisis
Posted on 9/18/17 at 7:49 pm
Posted on 9/18/17 at 7:49 pm
The Atlantic publishes some non-garbage
I’ve been researching generational differences for 25 years, starting when I was a 22-year-old doctoral student in psychology. Typically, the characteristics that come to define a generation appear gradually, and along a continuum. Beliefs and behaviors that were already rising simply continue to do so. Millennials, for instance, are a highly individualistic generation, but individualism had been increasing since the Baby Boomers turned on, tuned in, and dropped out. I had grown accustomed to line graphs of trends that looked like modest hills and valleys. Then I began studying Athena’s generation.
Around 2012, I noticed abrupt shifts in teen behaviors and emotional states. The gentle slopes of the line graphs became steep mountains and sheer cliffs, and many of the distinctive characteristics of the Millennial generation began to disappear. In all my analyses of generational data—some reaching back to the 1930s—I had never seen anything like it.
What happened in 2012 to cause such dramatic shifts in behavior? It was after the Great Recession, which officially lasted from 2007 to 2009 and had a starker effect on Millennials trying to find a place in a sputtering economy. But it was exactly the moment when the proportion of Americans who owned a smartphone surpassed 50 percent.
But the allure of independence, so powerful to previous generations, holds less sway over today’s teens, who are less likely to leave the house without their parents. The shift is stunning: 12th-graders in 2015 were going out less often than eighth-graders did as recently as 2009.
Today’s teens are also less likely to date. The initial stage of courtship, which Gen Xers called “liking” (as in “Ooh, he likes you!”), kids now call “talking”—an ironic choice for a generation that prefers texting to actual conversation. After two teens have “talked” for a while, they might start dating. But only about 56 percent of high-school seniors in 2015 went out on dates; for Boomers and Gen Xers, the number was about 85 percent.
So what are they doing with all that time? They are on their phone, in their room, alone and often distressed.
The more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression.
I’ve been researching generational differences for 25 years, starting when I was a 22-year-old doctoral student in psychology. Typically, the characteristics that come to define a generation appear gradually, and along a continuum. Beliefs and behaviors that were already rising simply continue to do so. Millennials, for instance, are a highly individualistic generation, but individualism had been increasing since the Baby Boomers turned on, tuned in, and dropped out. I had grown accustomed to line graphs of trends that looked like modest hills and valleys. Then I began studying Athena’s generation.
Around 2012, I noticed abrupt shifts in teen behaviors and emotional states. The gentle slopes of the line graphs became steep mountains and sheer cliffs, and many of the distinctive characteristics of the Millennial generation began to disappear. In all my analyses of generational data—some reaching back to the 1930s—I had never seen anything like it.
What happened in 2012 to cause such dramatic shifts in behavior? It was after the Great Recession, which officially lasted from 2007 to 2009 and had a starker effect on Millennials trying to find a place in a sputtering economy. But it was exactly the moment when the proportion of Americans who owned a smartphone surpassed 50 percent.
But the allure of independence, so powerful to previous generations, holds less sway over today’s teens, who are less likely to leave the house without their parents. The shift is stunning: 12th-graders in 2015 were going out less often than eighth-graders did as recently as 2009.
Today’s teens are also less likely to date. The initial stage of courtship, which Gen Xers called “liking” (as in “Ooh, he likes you!”), kids now call “talking”—an ironic choice for a generation that prefers texting to actual conversation. After two teens have “talked” for a while, they might start dating. But only about 56 percent of high-school seniors in 2015 went out on dates; for Boomers and Gen Xers, the number was about 85 percent.
So what are they doing with all that time? They are on their phone, in their room, alone and often distressed.
The more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression.
16
Posted on 9/18/17 at 7:51 pm to anc
I don't need a psych professor to state the obvious. Just find any videos of Antifa protesting and all those who get offended at things that a sane person would never be offended by.
Actually read your post and see it's not related to what I said at all. Though, I still maintain what I originally stated.
Actually read your post and see it's not related to what I said at all. Though, I still maintain what I originally stated.
This post was edited on 9/18/17 at 7:53 pm
Posted on 9/18/17 at 7:56 pm to anc
quote:
But only about 56 percent of high-school seniors in 2015 went out on dates;
So these chicks are 20 about to turn 21? Time to set sights on them since obviously everyone their age doesn't give a shite.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 7:57 pm to anc
social media makes everyone elses life seem awesome. its become a constant one up contest.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:01 pm to anc
quote:
The more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression.
But yeah, I thoroughly believe the more you know and the smarter you are, the more depressed you are. I guarantee the average suicide victim is well into the 3 digits in the IQ range. Stupid people don't overthink it to the point that their own destruction is to only solution to dealing with a fricked up world.
I think idiots are more likely to get violent against others when things don't go their way, while smart people realize there's nothing they can externally do and get ridiculously angry at themselves. Ignorance is bliss.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:04 pm to beerJeep
quote:
social media makes everyone elses life seem awesome. its become a constant one up contest.
Also for dudes, Tinder and Bumble is shite. They can be just mediocre, like all night and get a like or two. Meanwhile some fat bitch who is picky and thinks she deserves more thinks she's getting more likes than she is because guys are rapid swiping and many slip in through the cracks. This is a Dude problem and not a chick problem unless she's exceptionally ugly or 120 pounds overweight.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:07 pm to anc
Well no shite Sherlock.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:10 pm to anc
That prof is just responding to the pressure to publish or perish. Humans have always had problems with their brains. It's a side effect of evolving the most complex structure in the known Universe.
At any given time, 30% of people are dealing with mental health issues and roughly 10% of those are experiencing severe mental health problems. It's a fact of being human. Depression is by far the most common mental health problem. Coincidentally, it's also the most treatable illness. No one has to suffer from depression.
At any given time, 30% of people are dealing with mental health issues and roughly 10% of those are experiencing severe mental health problems. It's a fact of being human. Depression is by far the most common mental health problem. Coincidentally, it's also the most treatable illness. No one has to suffer from depression.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:13 pm to OMLandshark
quote:
Also for dudes, Tinder and Bumble is shite. They can be just mediocre, like all night and get a like or two. Meanwhile some fat bitch who is picky and thinks she deserves more thinks she's getting more likes than she is because guys are rapid swiping and many slip in through the cracks. This is a Dude problem and not a chick problem unless she's exceptionally ugly or 120 pounds overweight.
damn - I wish I understood one word of that.
then again, maybe not.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:19 pm to anc
Having infinite porn on demand 24/7 is robbing young men of their motivation and drive.
A big motivator for going out in the world and trying to be successful and carve out your space is the movitvation to get chicks. That's a good thing, it's evolutionary.
However the younger generation has had access to high speed pornography instantly and infinitely their whole life and their brains are essentially doped up on it and it robs them of motivation that would otherwise be there.
Porn isn't bad, but mass consumption of it constantly is.
A big motivator for going out in the world and trying to be successful and carve out your space is the movitvation to get chicks. That's a good thing, it's evolutionary.
However the younger generation has had access to high speed pornography instantly and infinitely their whole life and their brains are essentially doped up on it and it robs them of motivation that would otherwise be there.
Porn isn't bad, but mass consumption of it constantly is.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:21 pm to anc
I legitimately don't understand how snowflakes even exist in the age of social media. Damned near everyone online is an A hole. I've been online since AOL 3.0 and it's given me the thickest skin imaginable.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 8:36 pm to ChineseBandit58
quote:
damn - I wish I understood one word of that.
It's bed time, gramps.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:02 pm to anc
quote:
more time teens spend looking at screens, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression.
I don't think it's the screens though. I spend a good amount of time on my phone every day...mostly reading TD during slow periods at work to pass the time.
I stay off social media platforms. Social media is the problem because everyone posts BS to make their lives seem awesome an I think it affects others mentally
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:04 pm to anc
Great read, anc. Do you see repercussions of this in your higher ed classes?
I teach at the college level and most of my students are looking at a screen during class. Some (very few) are legit taking notes, but the rest are shopping and on social media.
I took a group of 20 students on a study abroad tour this summer and it was sad how much their phones control their actions. We would be hurrying to all cross a street and they would stop to do a Snapchat post and hold up the whole line.
If we were on a train or bus that didn't get wifi, they had mini-panics. If it did have wifi, they would be on their phones the entire time. A large number of them had dead phone batteries by lunchtime and would stress about it.
I've learned to adjust in my classes by doing fewer lectures and more interactive assignments so they have to focus and work. That seems to make a difference and students enjoy it more.
It's getting worse quickly though. I did the same study abroad trip in 2015 and the phone usage wasn't half as bad as this year.
I teach at the college level and most of my students are looking at a screen during class. Some (very few) are legit taking notes, but the rest are shopping and on social media.
I took a group of 20 students on a study abroad tour this summer and it was sad how much their phones control their actions. We would be hurrying to all cross a street and they would stop to do a Snapchat post and hold up the whole line.
If we were on a train or bus that didn't get wifi, they had mini-panics. If it did have wifi, they would be on their phones the entire time. A large number of them had dead phone batteries by lunchtime and would stress about it.
I've learned to adjust in my classes by doing fewer lectures and more interactive assignments so they have to focus and work. That seems to make a difference and students enjoy it more.
It's getting worse quickly though. I did the same study abroad trip in 2015 and the phone usage wasn't half as bad as this year.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:08 pm to Anastasia Beaverhousen
Social media gives off this everyone's life is perfect and drama free, only your life sucks vibe. I can't remember the last time I posted on Twitter or Facebook. I never look at either anymore. They just drain you emotionally.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:09 pm to deltaland
The screens can cause issues with sleep cycles if they're on them too long too late at night. But otherwise, yes, it's the isolation that comes with living life on social media. Texting instead of calling or just hanging out.
I have actually seen it in some adults too, on a smaller scale. Letting Facebook be too much a part of their lives and letting what they see there affect their feelings and actions.
I have actually seen it in some adults too, on a smaller scale. Letting Facebook be too much a part of their lives and letting what they see there affect their feelings and actions.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:10 pm to beerJeep
Yep. I deleted my Facebook almost four years ago and it has been GLORIOUS! I feel so free!
Of course now I spend too much time on TigerDroppings instead.
Of course now I spend too much time on TigerDroppings instead.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:13 pm to anc
quote:
So what are they doing with all that time? They are on their phone, in their room, alone and often distressed.
And they are starting with IPhones younger and younger. I was in church a few weeks ago and a child no more than two had an iPhone and was swiping though pic after pic.
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:15 pm to Anastasia Beaverhousen
Social media worsens depression so easily too. Oh, you just had a breakup? Go scroll through all your friends getting married and spending time with their SO.
It also sets artificial standards on everyone. Oh, you're in your mid 20s and are single? You're a failure at life. Oh, you work all day and can't afford to do this or that, here's all your "friends" who just got back from a 2 week trip to France.
Maybe I am a failure at life
It also sets artificial standards on everyone. Oh, you're in your mid 20s and are single? You're a failure at life. Oh, you work all day and can't afford to do this or that, here's all your "friends" who just got back from a 2 week trip to France.
Maybe I am a failure at life
This post was edited on 9/18/17 at 9:16 pm
Posted on 9/18/17 at 9:39 pm to anc
quote:
But only about 56 percent of high-school seniors in 2015 went out on dates; for Boomers and Gen Xers, the number was about 85 percent.
That's a Wooderson bat-signal.
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